Crash information 44-49972 Lutjewinkel

During World War II more than 40 different bombers and jet fighters have crashed within de county borders of Hollands Kroon. The crashes were mostly on land, in the Ijssel lake and the Wadden sea.

Few crew members were arrested after using their parachute to reach the ground, others could flee with the help of the Resistance. However, the majority lost their lives and did not return home safely to their family and loved ones.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator 44-49972 “Rum-Collins” 453rd Bomb Group, 733rd Bomb Squadron Zoutkaag near Lutjewinkel

Information about the crash

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator 44-49972 “Rum-Collins” was on its way to the marshalling yard of the German city of Brunswick for a bombing raid on March 31, 1945. The on-board weapons were tested en route over the North Sea. A short circuit occurred in the dorsal turret, causing the machine gun to fire into the engine. The plane flew over the coast while burning. People from miles around saw the plane fly over. The crew jumped out of the plane and landed spread over Winkel and Nieuwe Niedorp with their parachutes. The bomber crashed at 8:15 am.

Crew members Thornsen and Setser arrived at the monastery of Nieuwe Niedorp with the help of a farmer. After a number of wanderings to different addresses, they crossed the IJsselmeer by boat on May 1, 1945 and arrived in Stavoren. This city had already been liberated by the Canadians at that time. The ten other crew members were quickly taken prisoner by the occupying forces.

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